"I told you so"

My new fave tool right now is the Fiskars Shape Xpress Tool. I don't have any of the templates—I've been using it for free-hand cutting of patterns, flowers, and flourishes from patterned paper. It works so easy once you get the hang of it. Using a craft knife, my hands are usually on fire or totally numb from my carpal tunnel within minutes. With the Fiskars tool I don't have any of those issues.

Tonight I was using the Shape Xpress on a class sample I am designing and Xaver says, ” I told you you would like that thing.” It took a few attempts but about a year ago I caved and finally bought it. I had seen it in action at CHA Winter 2007 as the lovely Cheryl of Fiskars demonstrated it. Several times Xaver had told me to buy it and each time I had looked at it and then put it back on the shelf. I had forgotten I had it until I went to that Fiskars training Amyre did last week. I dusted off the cobwebs and have already used it on several projects!! Woohoo! I'm loving this tool. Sometimes I guess it just takes someone else showing you what to do to get your creative juices flowing.

Here's a pic of a sample I did for a class at Collective Journey (Berry Sweet mini book class in May):

A closeup of some of the flourishes I cut using the Shape Xpress tool:

Author: Jennifer Priest

It started with jewelry, beading, sewing, home decor, painting, basket weaving, pottery, and cross-stitch. Marry that to an entrepreneurial spirit & at 9 years old a girl is selling her wares at craft fairs as far as her parents and grandparents would drive her. These days, Jennifer enjoys crafts of all genres from sewing to scrapbooking to jewelry with a little dabbling in the mixed media world. Her style is approachable and she wants everyone who sees her work to feel that they too can embrace creativity and make their home and life beautiful.